Nationals honor Loudoun Little League World Series team

Nationals honor Loudoun Little League World Series team

It has been quite the ride over the past several weeks for the Loudoun County Little League Baseball team. From an incredible run at the Little League World Series to the fame and attention that came with it, the kids of Loudoun South are on top of the world.

On Saturday, their celebration tour continued with a memorable stop at Nationals Park. Trading in their spot on the field with seats in the stadium, the team got a unique experience with the Nationals before the game. Loudoun South got to hang out with the Nats during batting practice ahead of its contest with the Miami Marlins.

“It’s unbelievable and I’m just speechless,” Chase Triplett, whose favorite player is Matt Adams, told NBC Sports Washington's Tyler Byrum. “So many kids dream to be here in our position and our shoes and we’re just so lucky that it’s us.”

Loudoun South sent the local community into a frenzy earlier this summer by throwing two combined no-hitters on their way to becoming the first Virginia team to appear in the LLWS over the last 25 years.

The Little Leaguers received autographs, got to chat with several Nats players and even joined Brian Dozier in signing “Happy Birthday” to Adams, who turned 31.

“I never thought this would ever happen, but it happened and it’s just a dream come true,” Noah Culpepper said. “It’s very cool just getting to meet the players giving us some advice. It’s just a wonderful opportunity.”

Several Nationals players offered some tips to the team ahead of the tournament, which ended with a team from River Ridge, La., capturing the title.

Earlier this week, head coach Alan Bowden appeared on NBCSW’s Nationals Talk Podcast to discuss his team’s journey and the experiences they had in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. You can listen to the interview with Bowden below:

While they didn't win it all, the Loudoun South Little League team are hometown heroes to many in the D.C. area after being the first Virginia Little League team to make it to the Little League World Series since 1994.

Because of that incredible feat, the Nationals will honor the Loudoun South players and coaches on Saturday, August 31 before the Nationals host the Marlins in the second of their three-game series vs Miami.

While their final loss was a blowout, Nats Park will surely receive them loudly when they take the field on Saturday. NBC Sports Washington sat down with head coach Alan Bowden for the Nationals Talk podcast; listen below: